Boo,
Two squadrons operated Whirlwinds for most of the war before they eventually converted to Typhoons. Most of their work was done air-to-ground, primarily against shipping and trains, but they did have quite a few scraps with 190's and 109's, and often those went in the Whirlwind's favor. I'll scan and post it later, but one passage from the book I mentioned earlier described (if I remember correctly) a flight of 4 Whirlwinds returning to base after a mission against shipping, flying on the deck, then they were bounced by a group of 109F's, 6 109's initially, joined by 12-15 more 109's higher within minutes. The Whirlwinds were badly outnumbered and in a bad spot, but immediately went on the offensive (based on these pilots' accounts, they were not afraid to go Head-On with the 109's and 190's due to their superior firepower and having 2 engines!). End result, 2 109's down, 2 smoking, the rest bugging out back to France and all 4 Whirlwinds made it home.
Their missions were "real" NOE across the water, often so low that the prop tips kicked up sea spray so much the pilots had difficulty seeing out of the front of the canopy. The cast framework that held the 4 Hizooksa in the nose was particularly prone to corrosion due to all the seawater blown up into the nose and belly during flight.
The Whirlwind was a joy to fly according to its pilots, and really loved. I've read quotes from quite a few who really bemoaned the Whirlwind being taken out of service and them being forced into Typhoons.
Think of the Crikey as a love child of the Hurri IIc and the Mossie fighter.....
